Courses

Prerequisites:

none, but knowledge of physiology, ecology, and evolution is useful.

Description:

This course will cover the physiology and the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of a suite of infectious diseases, emphasizing those infecting humans. Case studies will include smallpox, influenza, cholera, HIV, TB, measles, and syphilis, among others. For each infectious disease, both the physiology of the infection and its population-level dynamics will be discussed. Population-level dynamics will include a consideration of the epidemiological dynamics as well as evolutionary dynamics of the pathogen, and how these dynamics arise, in part, from the physiological characteristics of the infection. The course is run as a large seminar class and stresses group projects, discussion, homework, presentations and writing.

Course Staff:

Course Professors: Sönke Johnsen and Katia Koelle
Offices: 301 (SJ) and 258 (KK) Bio Sci Building
Phone: 660-7321 (SJ) and 660-9457 (KK)
E-mail: sjohnsen@duke.edu and kvk2@duke.edu

Text: none (primary source material will be given out for each class)

Exams and Grading:

25%: a midterm paper (20%) and associated presentation (5%)
35%: a final paper (25%) and associated presentation (10%)
25%: homework assignments (roughly 6 in total)
15%: in class exercises, attendance, and participation

Web Page:

Sakai will be used to post readings, lecture notes, and expansions of points made in lecture. It is also used to run some of the discussions.